A.—3

10

Land for a station at Penrhyn (750 miles north of Rarotonga) has been acquired, and it is hoped that funds will permit the establishment of the station during the coming year. A station in the Northern group will be of considerable value for Administration and trade matters as well as to the public generally. The apparatus necessary to convert the parent station at Rarotonga to short-wave, and which will be used in conjunction with the present spark set, has been procured, and the work of installation is proceeding. When completed, Rarotonga will be able to get direct communication with New Zealand and other distant stations. In the past, Rarotongan traffic, both inward and outward, has been relayed through Samoa, at an extra cost of 6d. per word. During the year an efficient service has been maintained by the radio-stations in the Cook Group with all other stations concerned. An inspection of the sub-island stations at Aitutaki, Mangaia, Atiu, and Mauke was made in August, and the apparatus at all stations was found to be in good condition. All the islands in this Group at which the cargo-steamers call are now in wireless communication with Rarotonga. Two Native youths are being trained in telegraphy, during their own time, at RadioRarotonga. These lads, who are progressing satisfactorily, are being trained with a view to filling any possible vacancies occurring in the sub-island stations. Five radio receiving licenses were issued during the year. Unfortunately the majority of the inhabitants of these islands are as yet unaware of the excellent reception that is now possible from New Zealand, Australian, and American broadcasting stations, with the present type of commercial broadcast receiver, which requires no technical knowledge to operate. POLICE. The strength of the Rarotonga Police Force remains the same as last year—viz., one Inspector (European), one senior sergeant, one sergeant, and eight constables (Natives) ; total, eleven. In the outer islands of the Cook Group the Resident Agent on each island is in charge of the local police. The number of Native police stationed on each island is as follows : Mauke, one sergeant and three constables ; Aitutaki, one sergeant and five constables ; Atiu, four constables ; Mangaia, one sergeant and six constables ; Mitis.ro, three constables ; Penrhyn, four constables ; and Manihiki, five constables. The Native police are men well up to the average of intelligence and physique, with a reasonable working knowledge of the English language. They are well trained in elementary police duty, keen on their work, and loyal to the Administration. The conduct of all ranks during the year has been good, and efficiency appears to have been well maintained. The total amount of fines inflicted by the High Court in criminal cases was £1,212 10s. Of this amount, £987 6s. was collected by the police. All persons sentenced to imprisonment during the year served, or are serving, their sentences in the Rarotonga Gaol. Two persons of unsound mind (one a European) were sent to New Zealand for committal to the Mental Hospital at Avondale. The escort of the Native patient was satisfactorily carried out by a Native constable. Since the Ist April, 1929, cinematograph films to the number of 224 have been censored for exhibition within the Cook Islands. METEOROLOGICAL. The total rainfall at Avarua (Rarotonga) for the twelve months ended 31st March, 1930, was 90-92 in., the highest fall recorded for twenty-four hours being 7-03 in., on the 13th March. The highest reading of the Fahrenheit thermometer in the shade was 90°, on the Bth January, and the lowest 55°, on the 7th July. The mean of the maximum was 80-6°, and the mean of the minimum 67-B°. The lowest reading of the barometer was 29482 in., on the 31st March at 8 a.m. Daily observations are taken of weather conditions (including barometer, thermometer, wind, clouds, rain, &c.), and a monthly return is forwarded to the Director of the Meteorological Office at Wellington. Full weather reports are sent daily by radio to Apia for the purposes of the scheme of weather reports and storm warnings in the South Pacific Ocean. RESEARCH WORK. Ethnology. —Dr. P. H. Buck, Anthropologist to the Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu, who arrived in the Cook Group in February, 1929 (as mentioned in last report), continued his researches in ethnology and anthropology until February, 1930, when he left for New Zealand en route to Honolulu. During his stay of twelve months Dr. Buck carried out investigations in the islands of both the Lower and Northern Groups. There is no doubt that Dr. Buck's records, when published, will be a very valuable addition to New Zealand's knowledge of her island possessions, and provide the scientific detail from this locality that is necessary to the study of the Polynesian people as a whole. Botany. — Dr. Gerritt P. Wilder, also attached to the Bishop Museum, continued his botanical research work in Rarotonga and the Group Islands until the middle of August, when he returned to Honolulu. The results of Dr. Wilder's researches and discoveries in the Cook Islands will be published, and bis records, together with those of the late Mr. Cheeseman (published in the Transactions